Race for Parliament: Vote hunt intensifies in Buhaguzi as NRM faces independents, NUP challenger

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The race for the Kikuube district-based Buhaguzi Constituency Member of Parliament seat has gathered momentum, with four candidates crisscrossing the constituency in an aggressive hunt for votes ahead of polling day.

The contest has attracted a mix of party-affiliated and independent candidates, namely incumbent Francis Kazini Twinomujuni (National Resistance Movement [NRM] flag-bearer); Dan Mahairwe Mpamizo and Jackson Herrera, both running as independents and Peter Ssenjubu of the National Unity Platform (NUP).

Kazini and Mahairwe are widely regarded as the main rivals, largely due to the sizeable crowds they draw at campaign rallies and the visibility of their outreach to voters. Mahairwe, who lost the NRM primary elections, returned to the race as an independent after rejecting Kazini’s victory.

He alleged that the party primaries were marred by irregularities, including voter bribery, participation of unregistered voters, and the failure by the electoral commission to count results from his strongholds.

Mahairwe, who served in the 11th Parliament and was defeated by Kazini in the 2021 general elections, said his decision to return to elective politics is driven by the need to improve service delivery in Buhaguzi.

He emphasised that the constituency, being a hub of oil and gas development, requires strong representation to ensure local communities benefit meaningfully from the sector.

He noted that Buhaguzi County hosts the Kingfisher oil and gas project, yet few local residents have benefited due to the absence of a clear local content policy.
“We only have National Content. Few local communities are supplying in the oil and gas sector. Our youth are not employed; most of our youth are given casual jobs,” Mahairwe said.

Campaigning across the constituency, including using Tukutuku, Mahairwe also raised concerns about the state of health services in Kikuube district.

 He pointed out that the district lacks a district hospital, which he said is critical to improving access to quality healthcare.

“When we advocated for the creation of Kikuube district, we wanted to bring services nearer to our people. Kikuube Health Centre IV was supposed to be elevated to a hospital, but we do not have good negotiators. This facility has remained at Health Centre IV level,” he said.

Mahairwe further appealed to voters to support him so that he can return to Parliament and advocate for an increase in the road fund, arguing that the current Shs1 billion allocation is insufficient to maintain the constituency’s 1,600km road network. He said many roads are in poor condition, limiting farmers’ ability to transport agricultural produce to markets.

On his part, Francis Kazini Twinomujuni, the incumbent MP, highlighted achievements from his term in office while outlining plans he intends to pursue if re-elected. He said he lobbied for funds that enabled the construction of several water sources in areas such as Ngogoli A and B, Mahamba and Katoma, among others.

Kazini added that during his tenure, several areas were surveyed and mapped for electricity connection. However, he attributed delays in power connection to the transition from UMEME to UEDCL.

“We are working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure that areas currently in blackout are connected to power,” he said.

On the contentious issue of land, Kazini, who also serves as the NRM Chairperson for Kikuube district, pledged that if given another term, he would work with fellow leaders to engage the government through the Ministry of Lands to develop strategies to end land grabbing.

He revealed that through lobbying efforts by Kikuube leaders, the district received 20,000 freehold land titles, which he described as a significant step towards securing local land ownership.

“These titles have helped locals to secure their land, but they are still few. Many more people need support to acquire land titles,” Kazini said, adding that more lobbying is needed.

Kazini also promised to push for the recruitment of more teachers, noting that while the government has constructed schools in the district, many are grappling with acute staffing shortages. According to statistics from the Kikuube education office, the district requires 1,297 teachers but currently has only 658.

Meanwhile, Peter Ssenjubu of NUP pledged to be a voice for marginalised groups, including the youth, persons with disabilities and women. He said these groups continue to face serious socio-economic challenges across the constituency.

“We have youth and people with disabilities who cannot be employed because they lack skills. We need to empower them by linking them to vocational skilling centres so that they can be self-reliant,” Ssenjubu said.

“I request the people of Kikuube to give me their mandate because I understand the challenges affecting their well-being.”

Buhaguzi Constituency hosts both Kyangwali refugee settlement and Kingfisher oil development activities, factors that have led to an influx of people into the area.